Selig on Rose: 'I'm going to do what I think is right'

CINCINNATI — The question about Pete Rose was the second question that outgoing MLB Commissioner Bud Selig was asked in his meeting with Cincinnati media.

Selig, who is stepping down in January, answered the question without really giving a hint of what he will do. Rose was banned for life for betting in 1989 by then commissioner Bart Giamatti. Some think Selig may pardon Rose or re-instate him on the way out.

"Let me say this to you — and I understand I'm in the land of Pete Rose here, driving in on Pete Rose Way — he was a great player, great history here, a great hitter," Selig said. "You know there are a lot of things in life that happen that a commissioner or any of us wish hadn't happened.

"You all know I was particularly close to Bart Giamatti. He was really one of the best friends I've ever had in the world. I understand the feeling here in Cincinnati. I really do. I'm sensitive to it, as a matter of fact. I've said, because I am the judge, that it's a matter under advisement.

"I think it's inappropriate for me to say anymore than that. But I've taken it seriously, talked to a lot of people. It's one of those situations in life that you wish didn't exist, but it does.

"I'm going to do what I think is right. I have five months to think about it. So it is under advisement. I understand that this is the only place I go that they're going to ask about it. I understand that."

"One thing about commissioners, we have to do what you think is right. I've tried to do this every subject. . . In some cases, whatever you do somebody's going to be mad. You have to live with that, the commissioner has to live with that."

Selig said he is trying to clear up major issues before incoming commissioner Rob Manfred takes over.

"I'm trying to remove any of the difficult situations Rob Manfred will face," Selig said. "I'm trying to clean up as much as I can. ... I hope we wrap up some of the internal controversies."

Selig would not discuss the merits of the Rose case and what will go into his decision, but he made it clear that gambling is a very serious infraction.

"It's not a secret that this office was founded in 1920, 1921 because of the Black Sox scandal," he said. "There's no secret about that. There's no secret about my own strong feelings — I think any commissioner in any sport — but in our sport because of the history. The day you step into this office, you are always concerned about integrity.

"Sport without integrity is not a sport."

Selig has allowed Rose to participate in certain events, and he has said Rose will be allowed to participate in the All-Star Game festivities.

"The rule of thumb has been to reasonable and rational," Selig said. "(Reds owner) Bob Castellini understands it very, very well. He understands me well. When there are certain things that honor the history of the club . . . the history of the club is very important to me. It's important everywhere. It's important here in our oldest franchise.

"If he calls me and says look: We're going to do this. One thing I was taught at an early age is always use common sense. That's what I tried to do."